This is the third in a seven-part series profiling the six inductees and one special award winner that will be honored on April 18 at the Pacific Lutheran University Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet inside Olson Gymnasium. Today's feature is on 2026 Hall of Fame inductee Craig Stelling who was a member of the Lute track & field team from 1984-1987.
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A four-time District Champion and a two-time All-American, Craig Stelling straddled two different eras of the javelin and while a Lute, mastered both.
Stelling was drawn to PLU having been raised through the Lutheran Church and following in the footsteps of his older brother Bryan.
As a freshman in 1984, the Langley, Washington native hit a national qualifying mark in the javelin with a throw of 215' 8" at a meet with University of Portland and Linfield College. Stelling would go on to win the javelin at the Northwest Conference Championships, securing the win by over six feet and unseating teammate and defending champion Mike Heelan for the title. Stelling went on to win the event at the NAIA District Meet before heading to Charlestown, West Virginia for the NAIA Championships. Stelling placed eighth at the NAIA meet with a throw of 208' 3", missing All-American honors by two spots.
The following season, Stelling was runner-up in the javelin at the NWC Championships before repeating as NAIA District 1 champion in the event with a winning toss of 207' 0". The sophomore concluded the year at the NAIA Championships in Hillsdale, Michigan, finishing ninth overall with a throw of 213' 10".
The specifications for the javelin changed heading into 1986, modifying the implement's center of gravity and making it less aerodynamic in flight. But those changes wouldn't slow down Stelling in his junior campaign. A team captain, Stelling established a school record in the new javelin, winning NWC and District 1 Championships in the event. Stelling closed the season at the NAIA Championships in Russellville, Arkansas, securing All-American honors with a fourth place finish.
As a senior, Stelling captured his third NWC title with a winning toss of 216' 3" before securing the District 1 title for the fourth consecutive season. Battling a strong crosswind, Stelling placed runner-up at the NAIA Championships in Russellville, Arkansas, helping the Lutes place 24th in the final team standings.
Away from the javelin runway, Stelling served as a resident assistant on campus for two years, a position he learned a lot of leadership skills, made amazing memories, and made many friends.
Among the individuals who had the biggest impact on Stelling at PLU were physical education instructor Sara Officer, who was a 'tough cookie' and a big confidence builder for Stelling, along with teammate and fellow javelin thrower Mike Helan who he always looked up to.
Stelling continued to throw the javelin after graduating from PLU, competing at the US Olympic Trials in 1992 and competing in five USATF Championships from 1991 to 1995.
His four years on campus saw him rack up four Top 10 finishes at the NAIA Championships, four NAIA District 1 titles, and three NWC titles. Stelling ranks fifth all-time in the record books for the pre-1986 specification javelin and held the school record in the post-1986 specification javelin until the 1998 season and still ranks second all-time.
Stelling graduated with a degree in physical education. He was a physical education teacher for 35 years before retiring where he now spends his time as a volunteer dishwasher at a soup kitchen. Stelling is married to Kathryn and they have a daughter Lillianna Watson, son-in-law Brett Watson, and son Charley Stelling.
